University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028
Apply for the University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/2028, a fully funded scholarship for young Africans pursuing postgraduate studies. This prestigious program covers online and on-campus Master's and Postgraduate Diploma programmes across climate change, international development, global health, food security, data science, and sustainable energy fields.
Applicants must be African citizens or refugees aged 35 or under, hold a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor's degree or equivalent, demonstrate leadership and community service, and show commitment to addressing the climate crisis.
- 15–24 September 2026 — Virtual information sessions (mandatory)
- 13 October 2026 — Invitations issued
- 19 October 2026 — Applicant Declaration Form deadline (5:00 p.m. UK time)
- 19 November 2026 — Main application deadline (5:00 p.m. UK time)
- March 2027 — Scholarship winners announced
- September 2027 — Academic programmes begin
Overview
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Host University | University of Edinburgh, Scotland (UK) |
| Funder | Mastercard Foundation |
| Academic Year | 2027/2028 |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded |
| Study Level | Master's & Postgraduate Diploma |
| Study Mode | On-campus & Online |
| Eligibility | African citizens/residents or refugees |
| Age Limit | 35 or under (born on/after 1 January 1992) |
| Declaration Form Deadline | 19 October 2026 (5:00 p.m. UK time) |
| Main Application Deadline | 19 November 2026 (5:00 p.m. UK time) |
| Programme Start | September 2027 |
About the program
The University of Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a fully funded scholarship initiative designed to empower talented young Africans who have faced significant barriers to education. The program enables scholars to pursue postgraduate studies at one of the world's leading universities while developing as ethical leaders committed to transforming their communities and the African continent.
For the 2027/28 cycle, the program has introduced important changes to the application process. Prospective applicants must now follow a structured process beginning with an eligibility assessment and a mandatory virtual information session before they can access the scholarship application form.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify for the Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Academic Qualification | Must qualify for admission to a relevant University of Edinburgh degree programme |
| Degree Classification | UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor's (Hons) degree or higher equivalent |
| Barriers to Education | Must have faced significant social, financial, personal, practical, or health-related barriers |
| Graduation Status | Must have completed undergraduate study with degree certificate and official transcript by 19 November 2026 |
| Nationality/Residency | Must be a resident and citizen, or hold refugee status, in an African country |
| Leadership | Demonstrated track record of leadership and community service |
| Climate Commitment | Experience or ambition in addressing the climate crisis |
| Age | 35 or under in the year the programme commences (born on/after 1 January 1992) |
Available scholarships
Online degree programmes
| Programme | Route available |
|---|---|
| Climate Change Management | Masters route only |
| International Development | Masters route only |
| Global Food Security and Nutrition | Masters or Diploma |
| One Health | Masters or Diploma |
| Social Justice and Community Action | Masters or Diploma |
| Global Health and Infectious Diseases | Masters or Diploma |
| Biodiversity, Wildlife and Ecosystem Health | Masters or Diploma |
| Data-Driven Breeding and Genetics | Masters or Diploma |
| Digital Education | Masters or Diploma |
| Data Science Technologies | Masters route only |
On-campus postgraduate programmes
| Programme | Notes |
|---|---|
| Africa and International Development | Standard MSc |
| Climate Change Finance and Investment | Standard MSc |
| Data, Inequality and Society | Must be undertaken in person (full year) |
| Entrepreneurship and Innovation | Standard MSc |
| Food Security | Standard MSc |
| Environment and Development | Standard MSc |
| Environmental Sustainability | Standard MSc |
| Operational Research | General MSc only (not specialisations) |
| Planetary Health | Standard MSc |
| Sustainable Energy Systems | Standard MSc |
Application procedure
The 2027/28 application follows a structured, multi-stage process:
Step 1: Check scholarship eligibility
- Determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements before registering for an information session
- Carefully review the official eligibility information before proceeding
- Meeting basic requirements does not guarantee a scholarship or invitation to apply
Step 2: Choose a degree programme
- Explore available postgraduate programmes and decide between on-campus or online study
- Identify a preferred course of study before progressing
- Do NOT apply for your chosen degree programme at this stage — the scholarship application comes first
- Scholarship winners (announced March 2027) will then be invited to apply for their degree through standard admissions
Step 3: Attend a mandatory virtual information session
Attendance at a virtual information session is mandatory to access the scholarship application form. Sessions run between 15 and 24 September 2026, with a short questionnaire completed at registration.
Official link
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| Official Application Page | edinburgh-global.ed.ac.uk/mastercard-foundation-scholars-program/apply-for-a-scholarship |
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for the Edinburgh Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027/28?
There are two deadlines. The Applicant Declaration Form is due by 19 October 2026 (5:00 p.m. UK time), and the main application closes on 19 November 2026 (5:00 p.m. UK time). Academic programmes begin in September 2027.
Is the information session really mandatory?
Yes. Attendance at a virtual information session is mandatory to access the scholarship application form. Sessions run between 15 and 24 September 2026, and a short questionnaire is completed at registration.
Who can apply for this scholarship?
Applicants must be a resident and citizen, or hold refugee status, in an African country; be 35 or under in the year the programme commences (born on or after 1 January 1992); hold a UK Second Class (Upper) Bachelor's degree or higher equivalent; and have faced significant social, financial, personal, practical or health-related barriers to education.
Should I apply for the degree programme first?
No. Do not apply for your chosen degree programme at this stage — the scholarship application comes first. Scholarship winners, announced in March 2027, will then be invited to apply for their degree through standard admissions.
Can I study online instead of moving to Scotland?
Yes. The program covers both online and on-campus Master's and Postgraduate Diploma programmes. Ten online degree programmes are available, including Climate Change Management, International Development and Data Science Technologies. Note that Data, Inequality and Society must be undertaken in person for the full year.
Does meeting the requirements guarantee a scholarship?
No. Meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee a scholarship or an invitation to apply. The eligibility criteria are a minimum threshold, not a promise of selection.
Other Mastercard Foundation & African scholarship opportunities
Beyond Edinburgh, several other prestigious fully funded opportunities support African students pursuing higher education:
- University of Cape Town Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program — Fully funded scholarships for African students at one of Africa's top universities
- KfW EAC Master's Scholarships for East Africa — Funded Master's opportunities specifically designed for young East Africans
Get fully funded scholarships and opportunities in real time on our WhatsApp channel Accès Bourses Afrique.
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